Jackie Beriman drives the top-weight Chelembra to victory in the feature race of the day, the Bon Hoysted Apprentices Cup. 77130Pictures: David Nagel
By David Nagel
AN apprentice setting out to emulate the deeds of her Group One winning sister and two locally trained iron-horses who continue to confound conventional wisdom were the highlight acts at Pakenham races on Friday.
Jackie Beriman, 17, showed maturity beyond her years to take out the day’s feature race, the $24,000 Bon Hoysted Apprentices Cup (1000m) aboard the Robbie Griffiths trained Chelembra.
Meanwhile the Tom Scanlontrained Jeune De Coeur, who was having an incredible 15th run this preparation and his ninth in 64 days, and the Cameron Templeton trained Show’em Earnest, nine runs this preparation in 71 days, won the last two races on thecard.
Back in 2007 Beriman’s sister, Nikita, gave favourite backers sleepless nights when she piloted 150 to 1 outsider Tear’s I Cry to victory in the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Flemington Spring carnival. The younger Beriman might have seen the Flemington track on her way to Pakenham from her Warrnambool base on Friday but she made the long trip worth its while and made punters sleep easy.
Beriman had the $2.30 favourite perfectly placed just off the speed before gaining a split on the turn to score running away by one and a half lengths from Towcutter with Out of the Fire back in third place. For Beriman it was the highlight of a career that has been a long time in the making but only a short time into its journey.
“I’ve been apprenticed to Jarrod McLean at Warrnambool for 14 months but only been riding for four months,” a bubbling Beriman said.
“I’ve always loved horses and it was such a privilege today to ride for a big trainer like Robbie, it was my first ride for him today and we’ve started off on the right foot.
“I know he’s been a bit crook lately so hopefully this can put a smile on his face.”
McLean doubles as Beriman’s manager and organised the ride on the Dash for Cash four-year-old gelding. Beriman knew a long way out she had the race at her mercy.
“At the turn I knew I had plenty of horse underneath me and when it was time to go he just pricked his ears and away he went,” she said.
“It’s been a long trip today but it’s been worth it now.”
Beriman has a level headed approach to her apprenticeship. She continues to learn her craft from McLean, his jumps jockey Brother Brad, and his wife (her sister) Nikita. Race riding is not the top priority at the moment for the 17-year-old, who one day hopes to emulate her sister’s achievements.
“Look, I’ll just keep whacking away and continue to learn as much as I can but hopefully one day I can be just as good as her, if not better.”
